Fargo Standard

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, who represents North Dakota, addressed the role of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies in national defense through a series of posts on August 21, 2025. Her statements highlighted both North Dakota’s leadership in these areas and the broader security implications for the United States.

In her first post, Fedorchak stated, "North Dakota’s leadership in UAS and C-UAS positions us well to lead in the next phase of national defense innovation, which is critical in today’s changing geopolitical landscape." This comment underscores North Dakota's ongoing investment and expertise in unmanned systems technology.

She continued by addressing potential vulnerabilities: "We cannot allow gaps in our capabilities to become openings for adversaries. UAS technology has been at the forefront of Russia’s war in Ukraine and Hamas’s war on Israel." Here, Fedorchak referenced recent conflicts where drone technology has played a significant role.

Her third post focused on domestic concerns at the U.S. southern border: "At our own southern border, cartels and traffickers are using increasingly sophisticated technology—drones, surveillance tools, and encrypted communications—to move drugs, weapons, and criminals into our country."

North Dakota has established itself as a center for UAS research and operations due to its dedicated test sites and partnerships with federal agencies. The use of drones in modern warfare has been documented extensively during Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as conflicts involving Hamas. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have reported increased use of drones by criminal organizations along the U.S.-Mexico border to evade detection when trafficking narcotics or people.